49ers sign safety Ventrone, one of Mangini’s former players

Two days after it was revealed the 49ers would add Mangini to their staff as a senior offensive consultant, they signed one of his former players, safety Ray Ventrone, to a two-year contract.

Ventrone, 30, who is known for his special-teams play, spent the past four seasons with the Browns, a stretch that included Mangini’s tenure as Cleveland’s head coach from 2009-10. He spent his rookie season on the Patriots’ practice squad in 2005 when Mangini was New England’s defensive coordinator. He spent the 2007 offseason with the Jets when Mangini was in his second season as New York’s head coach.

In 2012, Ventrone (5-10, 200) had seven special-teams tackles in 12 games. He has 50 tackles and 39 special-teams stops in 73 career contests.

Ventrone is the latest Browns special-teams standout to reconnect with 49ers special teams coordinator Brad Seely, who held the same title in Cleveland from 2009-10. In 2011, the 49ers signed linebacker Blake Costanzo, who signed with the Bears last year. In March, they signed placekicker Phil Dawson, who spent his first 14 seasons with the Browns.

To make room for Ventrone on their 90-man roster, the 49ers waived fullback Jason Schepler, a rookie free agent they signed May 14.

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Ventrone’s signing is the latest signal the 49ers are intent on bolstering their special teams units.

As noted in this blog, their special-teams additions have included Dawson, linebacker Dan Skuta and wide receiver Marlon Moore. They also used a sixth-round pick on Florida State linebacker Nick Moody, who was known for his ability on punt and kickoff coverage with the Seminoles.